Steve Cooper has pleaded with his players to avoid the same fate as Leandro Trossard when Leicester take on Arsenal today/Saturday.
Trossard earned a controversial second booking during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Manchester City last weekend when he was deemed to have delayed the restart by kicking the ball.
With Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and the Emirates Stadium crowd likely to be on the lookout for any similar situation this weekend, Cooper has urged the Foxes to think before acting.
“What we have to make sure we don’t do is kick the ball for fouls, because that’s going to be a hot topic in the stadium, and that’s what the referees are clamping down on as well,” Cooper said.
‘I can only talk about ourselves. Cunning and doing what it takes to win has always been a part of football and always has been.
Steve Cooper has said he wants his Leicester players to avoid breaking the rules against Arsenal
Gunners winger Leandro Trossard was sent off against Manchester City after kicking the ball
‘It’s certainly not breaking the rules, but bending them will never go away. “I’m referring to Arsenal, but to football in general.”
Cooper is under pressure despite being in charge of the newly promoted Foxes for just seven competitive games.
Fans expressed their frustration during the Carabao Cup match at League Two club Walsall in midweek, with one fan entering the pitch and running towards Cooper before he was stopped.
Leicester are yet to win in the league and, although few expect them to take points from Arsenal, the next two games (against Bournemouth and Southampton) look more crucial.
Declan Rice (centre right) suffered the same fate as Trossard weeks earlier against Brighton
Leicester are yet to win a Premier League game under Cooper since his return to the top flight.
Cooper added: “No manager is ever too far away from tough times and criticism.” Successful people go through difficult times and can cope with difficult times.
“If this is for me, then people think more about it than me, because I am committed to the team. The only thing I think about in any job is what is right for that club. I always put the club first.”
